When the Karen at the Water Company Meets the Receipts: A Petty Revenge for the Ages
Have you ever been so infuriated by a condescending customer service rep that you fantasized about getting their boss involved? What if you didn’t have to fantasize—because it actually happened? Strap in for a tale of petty revenge, bureaucratic blunders, and a masterclass in “receipts,” courtesy of Reddit’s r/PettyRevenge.
It all started with a water meter—actually, the lack of one. Our hero and his husband had been happily renting an old apartment in a building where, by some architectural quirk, their unit had only one set of water meters (in the bathroom) while every other apartment had two (bathroom and kitchen). For five years, this oddity went unnoticed. Then, one fateful day, a phone call from a real estate agent named “Gertrude” turned their peaceful routine into a bureaucratic battle royale.
The Call That Launched a Thousand Eye Rolls
Picture this: you’re munching on fries with your spouse in a bustling fast-food joint when your phone rings. On the other end, Gertrude, a woman seemingly powered by pure condescension, demands your kitchen water meter readings.
Our hero politely explains—amid the clatter of ketchup packets and soda machines—that there’s no kitchen meter. Gertrude, undeterred and dripping with the sort of superiority reserved for people who think “youth = irresponsible,” insists: “It’s in the lease. You probably lost it, what with all your parties.”
Oof. The audacity.
This wasn’t just a misunderstanding; it was a full-on crusade against “those irresponsible young renters.” Gertrude escalates, implying our protagonists are too disorganized to keep basic documents. Reader, if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of such energy, you know exactly the flavor of rage that bubbles up.
Petty Revenge, Served with Receipts
Some people would fume in silence. Not this couple. The moment they got home, they went straight to their sacred “ADMINISTRATIVE cabinet” (take that, Gertrude!). Out came the lease—pristine, organized, and, most importantly, proof that there was only one meter.
They didn’t just send a scan. No, they added the digital equivalent of neon arrows in MS Paint, circled the relevant clause, and attached the whole shebang to a gloriously salty email to the agency. For good measure, they included meter readings—again.
Was that the end? Of course not. Petty revenge stories never wrap up so easily.
When Condescension Backfires
The next day, Gertrude called again. This time, our hero’s husband took the wheel. She doubled down, berating them for their “unfriendly” email and threatening to send a technician (at their expense!) for the non-existent meter.
But the husband was ready. He coolly suggested she check with the building manager and reminded her—politely but firmly—that the lease and their word matched reality. The cherry on top? He hung up before she could get another word in.
Enter: The Boss
That evening, a new number flashed across their phone. On the line? The Director of Rental Management himself. If you’ve ever received a call from a manager after hours, you know something dramatic has gone down behind the scenes.
The Director apologized profusely, admitted they only had one meter, and assured them Gertrude would be reined in. No more calls, no more threats, no more Gertrude.
Did she apologize herself? Of course not. But when your boss’s boss calls you at 8 p.m. to clean up your mess? That’s the kind of corporate “slap on the wrist” that warms the vengeful heart.
Lessons in Petty Revenge (and How to Handle Bureaucrats)
This story isn’t just about water meters. It’s about standing up to condescension, keeping your paperwork tight, and the sweet, sweet taste of watching someone forced to eat humble pie (even if it’s their boss doing the serving).
So next time someone talks down to you, just remember: receipts, a little salt, and the knowledge that sometimes, karma comes with a corporate letterhead.
What’s your favorite petty revenge story? Have you ever had to school a condescending rep? Drop your tales in the comments below—let’s celebrate the victories, one salty email at a time!
Original Reddit Post: Boss of Condescending Employee Needs to Apologize for His Behavior